Synopsis:Badil takes place in a tiny barangay in Samar on the eve of an election. The elderly Ponso (Dick Israel) is a veteran campaigner for incumbent Mayor del Mundo. He gets to work on that day, walking around town, handing out money to people who promise to vote for his candidate. He takes his son Lando (Jhong Hilario) with him, giving him an education on how things are supposed to be done. When Ponso falls ill later that day, Lando has to take up his responsibilities. Word comes in that the opposition candidate might be bringing in a huge sum of money into the town to buy out people already loyal to del Mundo. Lando is made to keep watch over their voters, making sure that nobody can give them a better offer. (Click the City)

MTRCB Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 100 mins.

Trailer:

Reviews:

5.0 Jessica Zafra (InterAksyon)

“Badil is full of masterful touches, from the Mayor who is absent yet omnipresent, to the casual action that identifies a killer, to that cup of ‘cappucino’. It educates without lecturing the audience, it’s important but not self-important.” (Read full review)

5.0 Skilty Labastilla (Young Critics Circle)

“Vera’s crackling script and Roño’s restrained, precise direction never let up from the get-go until the riveting climax. The film expertly shows the dynamics of power and politicking in small-town Philippines from a barangay-level perspective, how relationships among friends and kin get ruptured during elections because lackeys of rival political parties awash with cash creep through village houses on election eve to buy their allegiance. The whole cast is excellent, particularly Hilario, Israel, and Gil. So far my favorite Pinoy film of 2013.”

5.0 Mario Bautista (Showbiz Portal)

“Badil is an indictment of our nefarious election system and it’s powerfully told without making it look like a lecture or a discourse against the evils of corruption. It features great performances from Jhong and Dick, and all the supporting players… Badil is local filmmaking at its best.” (Read full review)

4.5 Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“Badil is remarkable in how it blends the sinister and the mundane. It depicts a system so broken that there is no separating the normal flow of life and the deep corruption that has penetrated it.” (Read full review)

4.5 Fred Hawson (ABS-CBN News)

“Director Chito Rono proves that even with a limited budget of P1.5 million from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, one can create a film with beautiful cinematography, exciting editing, artistic depth and national significance. Now that is a true master.“ (Read full review)

4.5 Emil Nor Urao (E-Reviews)

“Badil is the most explosive film of the year for it honest illustration of the palabra de honor (word of honor) and utang na loob (debt of gratitude) Filipino traits during the Philippine elections. It’s an underappreciated gem that should be distributed nationwide.” (Read full review)